This is the second straight season, and the third time in five years, that Portis has suffered a season-ending injury. His combined totals for the 2008 and 2009 seasons are 13 games played and just 721 yards.

2. Andre Brown will be signed to the active roster.

Brown, a former NC State tailback who was drafted by the New York Giants in the fourth round back in 2009, had spent time with three teams this season. Brown, 23, rushed for 2,539 yards and 22 touchdowns in college. He ruptured his ‘Achilles while in New York, and hasn’t quite landed on his feet since.

3. Macho Harris attended his first practice in Ashburn.

Harris said that his days as a college corner and NFL experience at safety give the Redskins several options in the coming weeks. With Reed Doughty and Kareem Moore serving as Washington’s only healthy safeties, he could see action on Sunday. He’ll wear uniform No. 38 for all the Hokies fans out there who want to make a jersey purchase.

4. The Redskins reached out to Willie Parker on Tuesday night.

According to league sources, the Redskins called Willie Parker on Tuesday night and made a contract offer to bring him back to DC. But Parker declined the chance to re-join the team he spent training camp with. People familiar with the situation said that Parker wasn’t happy with his stay in Washington this summer, which impacted his decision.

5. No clarity on the injury front.

Lorenzo Alexander and Rocky McIntosh were both held out of practice today. Several other Redskins were limited. Mike Shanahan is still calling LaRon Landry and Ryan Torain “long shots,” but he’s providing little information about the rest of Washington’s walking wounded.